7 Most Shocking TV Deaths in Midseason

May 21, 2009 10:00:16 GMT

'The L Word' unusually presented death at the beginning while 'Prison Break' brings a heartbreaking closure to the entire series.

It has become a readable trait that producers decide to kill a character or two to bring a twist of story or when they meet a dead end for the character's development. Throughout this midseason, deaths in the finales seem to be a popular option among the writers, most probably due to recession.

Many are eliminating the secondary characters but not a few decide to let go the main character. But which has the biggest shock value? Find out.

#7 Jenny Schecter - "The L Word" Cause of Death: Drown

In a rather non-traditional pattern, "The L Word" presented death at the beginning of the season, tracing backwards to how Jenny's life was taken out of her, and most importantly, who contributed to it. Then, it was apparent in the season finale that all of the women had motives in killing Jenny but ultimately it came down to a form of suicide. "L Word" clearly used the death as an abrupt closure to the entire series, killing one of the most eccentric and complicated character for (some) fans pleasure.

#6 Roman Grant - "Big Love" Cause of Death: Suffocated

They had attempted to murder Roman when he was shot by Hollis' henchwomen but decided to span his life a little longer. Eventually, the 2nd season finale put an end to Roman's era when Joey suffocates him to death with a pillow. This is a classic behind the scene story where writers felt that no more can be done with the character, but even then they were trembling at the thought of killing the patriarch polygamist. "...we felt we had to go bold and take away that character that might have been one of the most precious to us, and let everyone deal with the loss," as co-creator Will Scheffe put it.

#5 Edie Britt - "Desperate Housewives" Cause of Death: Car Accident

Edie's death was in the agenda, it was only a matter of how she should die. It was not something personal when she left Wisteria Lane in such a horrible manner although it took two accidents, the lethal one being the electric shock, to bring the character down. What's really behind the departure is the budgeting that is saved up to $200,000 per episode when Nicollette Sheridan was out, and of course, the fact that creator Marc Cherry had run out of idea for the bad girl.

After all the pain, anger, complication and years of running, Michael met a dead end in the series finale. Many fans thought that he and Sarah deserved a happy ending, thus if it's not shocking, then it's annoying. However, exec producer Matt Olmstead insists it ended on a happy tone, arguing "...when they're on the beach and talking about the baby that's coming, that's a huge victory in that they both stood their ground and, with the help of other people, brought down the ultimate antagonist." The writers had little explanation on how Michael died, jumping four years forward when he was already six feet under. But it was a sweet, sweet ending, much like a feature movie will do in romantic sagas.

#3 Jimmy Olsen - "Smallville" Cause of Death: Stab Wound

Jimmy's death is oh-so-romantic. He was stabbed from behind by Davis while kissing Chloe, and later drew his last breath after saving Chloe first. Those hoping for a Jimmy-Chloe happy ending had to clench their teeth when Chloe, in a silly decision, told Jimmy that it was always him while Davis was lying nearby. She was obviously clueless about the true demon inside Davis. But Aaron Ashmore who plays Jimmy believed that it was time to kill character. "...to be sent off kind of sucks," the actor said. "But, at the same time, it works great for the story. And all things run their course. I guess Jimmy on Smallville had run his course."

#2 Nathan Petrelli - "Heroes" Cause of Death: Slash in Throat

It was disappointingly fast with little struggle shown, that Nathan died out of a slice on the throat (which is weird because Sylar usually kills on the forehead). Yet it was necessary to provide the cliffhanger for the next volume. Nathan is not exactly dead, in the most complicated way. HRG and Angela arranged Matt to push Sylar into thinking that he is Nathan. Thus, the mind is Nathan's but the body and soul are Sylar's. So who's dead exactly?

#1 Dr. Lawrence Kutner - "House M.D." Cause of Death: Suicide

If there's ever a death called tragic, disturbing and sad, this would be it. It took the gut out of the creative teams behind the series to yank out the lovable character in the most provocative way. Plus the fact that the character was not too exposed for his personal life, it became a huge mystery to why he decided to shoot his own head. But probably the real reason that Kutner was dead is to be blamed on Kal Penn. The actor was leaving the show to enroll in White House as the new associate director of the Office of Public Liaison. Call it a mood swing.

Post Your Comments

posted by rach on Nov 02, 2009i was shocked by keith dying in one tree hill. an already emotionally charged episode with an ending no-one would have predicted.

posted by Suzyq on Jun 08, 2009Hotch on Criminal Minds??? That was a rough episode, even for that show, to watch. You could see the life seeping out of the characters by the end of the episode and then to have Hotch (presumably) taken out by his past...? I sat there for a good 5 minutes in silence. Kutner was so unfortunate in House, although that was a line between real life and acting life in that he took a job with Obama but it was still just sad...

posted by bart on Jun 02, 2009u dont seem to be interested by the awesome head shot of this girl in NCIS

posted by KB on Jun 01, 2009A few things-
The reason Bill Buchanan's death probably wasn't included is this: it's 24! We expect some crazy deaths will occur. Sad but not shocking.
As for Grey's Anatomy: the show is really just a prime time soap opera, and a piece of crap. Not to mention no one cares who dies on there.
Prison Break: I agree that the series was long over due for cancellation. I will also be the first to admit that I have been a rabid fan for years. Michael's death is very sad, but bittersweet in a way.
As for Kutner. I'd say this was the only really shocking death. Obviously it wasn't planned (unless Shore has ESP and could foresee Kal Penn taking a job at the white house) and thus is was actually surprising.

posted by Nebstar on May 27, 2009That sounded like jiberish Ashmore's character was killed off. Although "Jimmy Olsen" was murdered, Ashmore stated that his Jimmy was not the real Jimmy Olsen, but that the character's younger brother, who appears briefly in the season eight finale, is intended to be the real "Jimmy Olsen" that works alongside Clark and Lois

posted by Nebstar on May 27, 2009Anarchy I was There with u about jimmy but then i read that the reason was that the jimmy in those stories was 10 years younger and at the end of the season when chloe hands that camera to the little kid that was the brother that the real Jimmy Olson who works with Lois And Clark so hope that make sense dude

posted by tommy rudyanto on May 27, 2009jimmy olsen,i hope u still alive in smallville

posted by cadictsfan on May 26, 2009What about Bill Buchanan in 24?

posted by housexxobsessed on May 26, 2009 OMG, Xinjia I totally agree with you. Having George be a hero to a woman he doesnt even know, then dying from it is tragic.!

posted by housexxobsessed on May 26, 2009KUTNER! OH HOW I MISS YOU SO MUCH!=]
*CAN'T WAIT FOR SEASON 6!*

posted by kerflasko on May 25, 2009KUTNER! COME BACK!

posted by anarchy on May 24, 2009smallville - how could you kill jimmy off when in the new adventures of superman he works in the daily planet with clark and louis and isint that one supose to be after smallville thanks for makeing it more messed up than it was before!

posted by Hannah on May 23, 2009WTF? Where's Bill Buchanan????

posted by Xinjia on May 23, 2009umm... am I the only one who thinks either one of the Greys anatomy deaths shd be right up there - Though everyone knew they were going off the show yet killing off George was shocking, esp when he was all set to go to Iraq which wld ve put an end his appearance in the show anyway !!

posted by JimmyJam on May 22, 2009I HATE marc cherry for killing Edie in such a horrendous fashion. The two notoriously clashed on the set, so he takes pleasure in a)having her nearly choked to death, b) hitting a power pole in her car, and c)electrocuted. In doing so, he gave this fan the middle finger, which I am ...right now giving him. I think he is a jealous bitter queen who didn't like the prettiest woman on the show. (finger raised)

posted by Stevief on May 22, 2009I know how could anyone with some sense say this show was good especially this horrible season.Amazing how dumb people are getting turn off the tvs and read a book instead bird brains.

posted by MX2 on May 22, 2009Who cares season 4 of Prison Break was a joke anyways.Michael dying was a so who cares feeling it had no impact that's how boring this show turned out!The only people that are going on about this are the stupid women that watch this awful show to begin with!

posted by Vvaleriu on May 22, 2009I'm Sorry about Michael Scofield! If he died because of economic reasons, i think Fox sucks!

posted by Katie on May 22, 2009Michael died on the season finale, It was completely tragic, i wish it wasn't cancelled or ended in a better way, I didn't want him to die. I wish they just would have made the whole of Season 4 just like the last couple of episodes because it wasn't as interesting as S1 or S2 because of the storylines. Can't wait to get the boxset, hope theres special features and an alternate ending because Michael was my baby, I loved him. Love Prison Break it was awesome. Thanks Wentworth, Sarah, Dominic and co. Never a dull moment im PB!

posted by NORY on May 22, 2009I WANT TO TELL THE WRITER OF PRISON BREAK SOME THING: U SUCKS....HOW COULD U DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO US??? I 'V BEEN WATCHING THIS SERIES TILL THE END JUST TO SEE MICHEAL HAPPY AT THE END , AND WHEN HE FINALLY ACOMPLISHED HIS MISSION SUCCESFULLY, U DIDN'T LET HIM ENJOY THAT....WHYYYYYYYYY 4 GOD SAKE.....
4 FOX : PLZ WE NEED ALTERNATIVE ENDING , THIS END SUCKS....IF U DON'T GIVE US HAPPY ENDING ,I'LL NIVER WATCH ANYTHING OF FOX PRODUCTION I SWARE

posted by david on May 21, 2009The writer got the details wrong with Edie Britt's death... yes, she was in a car accident, but that's not how she died. She got up from the accident and got out of the car, and then was electrocuted by the downed power line in the puddle of water near the car.

posted by UR MOM 101 on May 21, 2009ur welcome weirdo (lol)

posted by jripper on May 21, 2009get over it. prison break sucked.

posted by sdcheese on May 21, 2009What about the death (probable) on Criminal Minds?

posted by dimack2007 on May 21, 2009Uhmmm, Michael Scofield died in the show finale not midseason, thanks for ruining the final dhow for those of us that recorded it and have yet to watch it!